Huskies merchandise flying off shelves

DEKALB — The undefeated Huskies’ march to Friday’s Mid-American Conference championship game has been good for more than just the football program at Northern Illinois University.

It’s also been a boon to area businesses, as fans snap up sweatshirts, hats and other team merchandise.

Several stores are seeing a jump in sales, including the Village Commons Bookstore, which has been getting online orders from all over the country and even temporarily sold out of jerseys.

“Everyone wants a Lynch jersey,” she told the Daily Chronicle. “He’s the most popular player.”

Quarterback Jordan Lynch is a Heisman Trophy contender, and his 1,755 rushing yards are third-best in the nation. The 2,000-yard mark isn’t out of the question as there’s the MAC championship game Friday and a possible bowl game. Lynch has 42 touchdowns — 22 from passing and 20 rushing — in 12 games.

NIU sophomore Jeff Nelson was among those buying up shirts this week to support the team.

“They’re amazing,” he said. “It makes me feel more like I’m part of it, because it’s my school.”

The No. 16 team will play Bowling Green in Detroit on Friday with the hope of making it to a Bowl Championship Series game.

Last season, the team finished with a 12-2 record, raising expectations — and merchandise sales — this season.

“Any time you have renewed success, you get casual fans,” said Don Turk, manager of the University Bookstore in DeKalb.

He said sales were up 15-20 percent from the same time last year.

And, he said, it also helps when one of the players sets a fashion trend: After Lynch wore a camouflage hat on the sidelines during one game, it became the most popular hat at the University Bookstore, Turk said.

Northern Illinois’ only previous unbeaten season was in 1963. The Huskies went 10-0 and won the NCAA College Division championship.